Touchscreen technology will reach Apple's premium laptops while skipping its new budget model, Ming-Chi Kuo. The MacBook Pro lineup is expected to receive OLED touch panels by late 2026 or early 2027, marking Apple's first touch-enabled MacBooks.
Apple's newly launched MacBook Neo, which went on sale March 11 starting at $599, will not gain touchscreen capabilities in its second generation despite earlier speculation.
Kuo reports that Apple considered adding touch functionality to challenge Chromebooks but ultimately decided against it for now. The $599 entry point positions the Neo as Apple's most affordable laptop, powered by the A18 Pro chip previously used in iPhone 16 Pro models.
Former Microsoft Windows division president Steven Sinofsky called his new Neo "excellent" and said it would replace his MacBook Air, noting compromises "are totally acceptable and go unnoticed."
Kuo projects total MacBook shipments reaching 25 million units this year, calling it "the only real bright spot among laptop brands." He estimates 4.5 million Neo units will sell in 2026 with shipments growing through back-to-school and holiday seasons.
While Pro models advance with touch technology, the MacBook Air faces a longer wait for display upgrades. Apple plans to transition Air models from LED to OLED screens around 2028-2029 according to Kuo's supply chain analysis.
The touchscreen decision creates clear product segmentation just as Apple expands its laptop lineup downward. Professional users gain interactive displays while budget-conscious buyers get capable hardware without premium features.
